Trump Deploys Second Aircraft Carrier to Middle East, Issues Warning to Iran

President Donald Trump announced Friday that he is deploying a second aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East, issuing a stark warning to Tehran to reach an agreement on its nuclear program or face severe consequences.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump confirmed that the USS Gerald R. Ford would be redeployed from the Caribbean to the Middle East, joining the USS Abraham Lincoln and a fleet of 12 US Navy ships already in the region.

“In case we don’t make a deal, we’ll need it,” Trump said, noting that the carrier would depart “very soon.” He described the naval assets as a “very big force” ready for action if required.

The president expressed optimism about ongoing negotiations but struck a confrontational tone regarding potential failure. “I believe the talks will be successful,” Trump stated. “But if they’re not, it’s going to be a bad day for Iran, very bad.”

The deployment comes amid heightened tensions following Iran’s deadly crackdown on protesters last month, which rights organizations report has resulted in thousands of deaths. However, Trump has recently framed his military posture primarily around Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

The Ford, recognized as the world’s largest aircraft carrier, and its four accompanying vessels had been operating in the Caribbean, where US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January. According to The New York Times, the ships are not expected to return to home ports until late April or early May.

Nuclear Concerns and Regional Dynamics

Western nations remain concerned that Iran’s nuclear program may be directed toward weapons development, an allegation Tehran consistently denies. Rafael Grossi, head of the UN nuclear watchdog, acknowledged Friday that reaching an inspection agreement with Iran was possible but “terribly difficult.”

Iran and the United States, which have not maintained diplomatic relations since shortly after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, held talks on the nuclear issue last week in Oman. No additional negotiation dates have been scheduled.

The United States participated alongside Israel in military action against Iran last June, conducting strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities during Israel’s 12-day campaign.

Following a White House meeting with Trump on Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested the US leader believed a “good deal” could be reached. However, Netanyahu expressed reservations about any agreement that failed to address Iran’s ballistic missile program and regional proxy activities.

Domestic Iranian Developments

Meanwhile, former crown prince Reza Pahlavi, son of the shah overthrown in the 1979 revolution, has called on Iranians to resume anti-government protests. In a social media post on X, Pahlavi urged citizens to chant slogans from their homes and rooftops Saturday in solidarity with demonstrations planned abroad.

Videos verified by AFP showed renewed anti-government chanting in Iran this week as the clerical leadership marked the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.

According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, approximately 7,005 people, mostly protesters, were killed in recent security crackdowns, with more than 53,000 arrested. The Norway-based Iran Human Rights organization reports that “hundreds” face charges that could carry the death penalty, though the Iranian judiciary maintains no final verdicts have been issued.

In a separate development, three politicians aligned with the reformist wing supportive of President Masoud Pezeshkian were arrested this week but subsequently released on bail, according to their lawyer Hojjat Kermani. Azar Mansouri, Javad Emam, and Ebrahim Asgharzadeh were freed Thursday and Friday pending further proceedings.